Exercise Benefits Ultrasounds

There is a 20% decrease in an ultrasound's ability to detect fetal problems in obese women compared with overweight women. It's clear that exercise is good for a mom-to-be. Now researchers say a pregnant woman's workout may also aid her baby's nervous system. Their study found that compared with those of sedentary women, exercisers' fetuses have better control during "breathing movements," a sign that development of their respiratory and central nervous system was on track. They also had a significantly lower then average heart rate and more heart rate variability; both promising predictors of health. The exercising moms-to-be, who were between 20 and 35, walked at a moderate-to-vigorous pace, did stationary cycling or ran at least 30 minutes three times a week. One very vital vitamin that is also worth acknowledging is a folic acid supplement. Women who hope to become pregnant have long been advised to take folic acid supplements to help prevent certain birth defects. But now University of Texas researchers have found that taking the B vitamin for at least a year before conception also reduces the risk of preterm birth - by at least 50%.

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New Borns: Preventative Measures

One of the most important members of your fist year caravan is your pediatrician. If possible, its best to stick with the same practice-if not the same doctor-for all visits, but if you need to make a change be sure to bring along all your child's medical records to better help your new care provider treat your infant. To make sure your baby's first 365 days are healthy ones, I can't stress how important it is to go to every single recommended well-child checkup during the first year. Most practices recommend visits at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months. It's also wise to keep your child up-to-date with his immunizations. Regular checkups give your doctor the chance to check out your baby and make sure he's growing and developing normally and they also give you a chance to to talk to a professional about any concerns you might have. Most moms have at least a few during the first year. Whether you have questions about diaper rash, teething, or verbal development - or if you just need help dealing with a picky eater - your pediatrician is and invaluable resource.

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Ultrasound Tech: Drug Treatment of Labor Pains

There are many different options for drug treatment of pain during labour. Some of the most popular are: Entonox, Pethidine, Morphine, Diamorphine, Epidural, spinal, local anaesthetic , and general anaesthetic. I will outline and describe each option below.
Inhaled Drugs: Many women use Entonox, a mixture of nitrous oxide, and oxygen. This is breathed through a mask as the contractions begin to build up to its maximal effect within 30-40 seconds and wers off as contraction fades. The side affects are minimal. It make your mouth dry, but on the upside, the oxygen is good for the baby.
Injected Drugs: These are all opiates, which are drugs like heroin. They make you relax, feel sleepy and not worried. They can make you feel nauseated, or vomit, so they are often given with another drug to reduce nausea. They are usually given into a muscle in your thigh, and there can be some discomfort and bruising at the site of the injection. These drugs can all slow your breathing and they can cross over the placenta to have the same effect on the baby. This is not considered a problem while he is getting his oxygen from the placenta, but it can be worrying if he is slow to breathe after the birth. For this reason these are only administered in the first stages of labour. Meptazinol tends to be used more in women who have already had a baby and so are more likely to have a shorter labour, as it is less sedating and has much less effect on the baby. Please join us later to learn more about our last form of Pain treatment, injections into the spine. Being an ultrasound tech would give you an opportunity to experience the miracle of childbirth every day.

Ultrasound Tech: How Can I Prepare for Labour Pain?

Pain is very subjective, and greatly influenced by your mental attitude. This is the one aspect of childbirth that you can prepare your self for and control. That doesn't mean you will avoid pain, but there are several ways to help manage pain. The first and most obvious solution is an epidural. In our previous blog I mentioned some natural ways to manage your pain and fears. We will be outlining these management techniques more in depth today.
The factor that is most likely to make the pain worse is fear. Having a baby is scary and learning everything that you can about the process in advance will help to decrease the mystery. Ideally, expectant mothers should consider Parentcraft classes. In addition to explaining what will happen, these will coach you in how to relax and the best way to breath through the contractions. Relaxation really does take the edge off the pain, but it is best to practice beforehand so it is automatic during labour. Massage and TENS units both act in part by giving your nerves a sensation other than the pain. So, basically it helps to distract your brain. Warm baths are helpful to take the strain off of your body. Floating weightless in warm water can be incredibly soothing whether or not you intend to deliver the baby in water. Next blog we will study Drug treatment of pain more in depth. Please consider learning more about what it takes to be an ultrasound technician if you love babies.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Pain Relief in Labor

I haven't had any children yet, but lets not kid ourselves, most women say labor hurts. Of course, some women have higher pain thresholds than others, and some very lucky women actually feel little more then discomfort in labour. But, for the rest of us, there will be pain. Remember, though, that every woman copes with it with varying amounts of help. Every woma finds it hard to remember just how bad it was, once it is all over and the cute little baby is in her arms. And, after all, it can't be that bad - otherwise nobody would have more then one baby.
Why is labour painful you ask? There are several reasons that labour is painful. Firstly, there is the pain from the muscles of the uterus working to full capacity - just as your legs hurt when you have been running up too many stairs. Then there is the stretching of the cervix, which can feel lika a bad period pain, the discomfort of the stretched ligaments that hold your pelvic bones together and the discomfort from your other muscles that might be tensing up as you try to cope with each contraction. Some Non-durg methods for Pain relief are; relaxation, warm baths, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), massage and aromatherapy, herbalism, accupressure and accupuncture, oeteopathy, homeopathy, reflexology, and self-hypnosis. I am not sure which of these methods work best. As I already said, I have not had a baby...yet....I will probably try the pain out although a massage sounds good!
If the subject of childbirth and pregnancy interests you, you may be interested in diagnostic medical sonography . We will be discussing pregnancy in the blogs to come. Stay tuned!